Many times when one mentions W.N. Ferris' name, he or she gets a strange look and
the question, "But didn't he believe in phrenology?" There is a phrenology head among
the Ferris artifacts (photo, left), and there are some other evidences of the practice
in Big Rapids.

In 1895 W.N. Ferris wrote a friend to thank her for sending Windsor's circulars. William
Windsor was a proponent of phrenology, the study of the human skull's shape to determine
mental faculties and character. He made his living by it. "I can't help thinking Mr.
Windsor is a fraud," Ferris said. "The advertisements in connection with his circulars
don't indicate scientific entertainment, nor dignified, professional conduct. Phrenology
is not a science. It embodies a large practice of valuable observations."

In 1921 William Windsor, LL.B., Ph.D., a member of the Bar of the Supreme Courts of
Wisconsin, Kentucky and Texas, and of the Supreme Court of the United States, published
a book, Phrenology, The Science of Character, with an introduction by Gov. Woodbridge
N. Ferris. Ferris obviously thought he would make some money on the publication because
at one time there were many copies lying around the campus which had not been sold.

On the other hand Ferris wrote to the Editor of Phrenological News in November of
1895 to say:

"I have been studying Human Nature systematically for 25 years. I am now trying to
devise a card on which will be stated in popular terms sufficient data for me to arrange
what might be called an estimate of a student's mental resources. I have done considerable
work on it but am not satisfied with what I have succeeded in doing."

This is the first record we have of W.N. Ferris trying to devise a placement system
for his students to determine their aptitudes so that he would be able to tell how
well they would succeed before they entered his programs.

In his letter to the editor of Phrenological News, W.N. Ferris said:

"I lectured on Phrenology some 22 years ago and met with fair success. I speak of
this so that you may know that I am familiar with the Phrenological nomenclature.
I have made good use of Phrenology although I am not so radical in my views as men
like yourself . . . .

"You will object to making the terms popular in the card outline, but if it could
be made popular, I think it might be placed in the hands of many teachers who would
otherwise be discouraged if they were compelled to use a Phrenological nomenclature.
I presume you are a busy man and will find it hard to answer this question, but I
have done considerable corresponding with several good men and am not satisfied with
the results."

"I am trying to devise a card on which will be stated in popular terms sufficient
data for me to estimate a student's mental resources."

In 1894 Ferris wrote to a prospect:

"I send you my first catalog. In regard to Phrenology and Physiognomy, I take great
pleasure in saying that these studies are taught, not in the regular day's work. An
evening class is now studying very carefully physiognomy and expression. In a very
short time I shall give daily recitations in the subjects relating to Phrenology.
I wish you would bear in mind that we do not prepare men and women for professional
phrenologists. We do give then the foundation, and of course, if a candidate can remain
here long enough we would give a thorough preparation for the lecture field. In some
respects my work is more scientific than that which is offered by some men who advertise
very freely."

Many students have talked about having the bumps read on their heads, but there aren't
any records that Ferris tried to teach classes in phrenology.

Mr. Ferris' interest in phrenology was well-known on campus for many years. This is
Ferris' personal phrenology head.